Arsenal finished second in the Premier League: Declan Rice and Mikel Arteta question mark

1. When it comes to “gun shots”, Declan Rice is the expert. Once again, the versatile English midfielder scored a wonderful goal from outside the box, when Arsenal hosted Newcastle in round 37 of the Premier League.

Rice's masterpiece helps Arsenal officially participate in the Champions League next season, ensuring the runner-up position regardless of the result in the final round.

Declan Rice helps the Gunners get a ticket to the Champions League. Photo: Arsenal/X

At the same time, the former West Ham midfielder also made the race for Champions League tickets in the Premier League chaotic before the final round.

Newcastle travel to north London hoping to take second place from Arsenal, and they have reason to be confident: they have won their previous three games this season without conceding a goal.

However, Rice's classy goal and David Raya's brilliant performance in the first 45 minutes did not make Eddie Howe and his team get what they wanted.

Newcastle, along with Chelsea and Aston Villa, are all on 66 points. Manchester are sixth on 65 points with a game in hand. Nottingham Forest, who won 2-1 at West Ham, are also in contention.

2. At the Emirates, Newcastle went into the game without their most dangerous attacking weapon – Alexander Isak, who was absent due to injury just before kick-off.

Isak's absence did not prevent Eddie Howe's men from playing an overwhelming attacking game. The visitors created many good chances and could have even taken the lead.

Arsenal also had dangerous situations, but the most prominent name in the first half was David Raya.

When the match had passed 20 minutes, the Spanish goalkeeper had made 5 excellent saves.

Raya opened with a double save from Bruno Guimaraes, then used his fingertips to deny Harvey Barnes, then showed great reflexes to keep out Dan Burn's header and Sven Botman's finish from a corner.

Rice's knightly celebration. Photo: Premier League/X

On the other side, Leandro Trossard curled the ball close to the post, while goalkeeper Nick Pope denied Thomas Partey's goal with a great reflex.

Looking at the game on the field, when Newcastle had too much space to attack, Arsenal fans couldn't help but worry.

With a clear strategy – solid defense, counter-attacking based on the speed of Anthony Gordon and Barnes – Newcastle created a dynamic game in the final third.

Both teams applied considerable pressure from corners, with Nicolas Jover, Arsenal's signature tactician this season, barely making an impact in front of the visitors' goal.

3. As the sun flooded the north London skies at the start of the second half, Mikel Arteta 's players woke up.

A dominating, pressing, cutting Arsenal side emerged amid cheers from the crowd, with Declan Rice concretising that dominance with the only goal of the match.

Martin Odegaard passed the ball right on the edge of the penalty area for Rice to unleash a one-touch right-footed shot into the far corner, the ball went like a cannon, leaving Pope helpless despite his quick reflexes.

The goal was Rice's ninth of the season and his 16th since joining Arsenal, surpassing his tally of 15 in 245 appearances for West Ham.

Mikel Arteta has helped Rice become a more complete player, turning him into one of the best midfielders in the world . At the Emirates, he has long since transcended the role of a pure defensive midfielder.

Mikel Arteta is runner-up for the third consecutive season. Photo: Arsenal/X

Arsenal struggled to maintain their slim lead, while Arteta still had time for reunions and farewells, in his final game at the Emirates this season.

Kai Havertz came on to a standing ovation after more than three months out, while Jorginho and Kieran Tierney – who are likely to leave the club for Flamengo and Celtic respectively – also got a chance to say goodbye.

Arsenal's performance in the second half was completely worthy of a ticket to the 2025/26 Champions League. Arteta hugged his students and celebrated with the fans.

However, another empty-handed season and a hat-trick of runners-up finishes have many questioning Arsenal’s true goals. In fact, this season’s points tally is much lower than in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons.

For now, the Kroenke family – the club’s owners – are considering re-evaluating Arteta’s work. Because what they need is major trophies, not celebrating like champions when getting a ticket to the Champions League.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/arsenal-ve-nhi-premier-league-declan-rice-va-dau-hoi-mikel-arteta-2402512.html